Creation : 2023
Composition : Eric Brousseau, Joëlle Toledano, Florence G'Sell, Kalli Giannelos
Theme : This research project aims to gain a better understanding of the technological, legal and societal issues that are emerging, or are likely to emerge, with the development of innovations such as Metavers, Web 3.0 and Artificial Intelligence. The aim is to identify and anticipate the actions required in terms of public policy and regulation (including self-regulation). It is based on an analysis of the various economic models and the nature of the services provided by immersive technologies, as well as on all the regulatory frameworks influencing the development of the digital economy. In particular, this work explores the issues of confidentiality and digital identity and the protection of individuals, the status and property rights regimes of virtual objects/environments, security and risks, interoperability, portability and opening up to competition. This research aims both to identify the specific features of Metavers in the governance of emerging technologies, and to analyse the issues raised by disruptive technologies, whether digital or not.
Organisation of the work: This research work combines theoretical and empirical research, drawing on different disciplines to integrate tools, information and analyses of the impact of Metavers in particular. The work is broadened through international cooperation with researchers analysing other technologies. Different perspectives - ethical, political, societal and economic - are brought together to identify needs and possible avenues for governance.
Topics :
- Governance and regulation of emerging technologies and the specificities of Metavers.
- Specific technological features and ethical risks associated with Metavers.
- Business models, value chains, industrial ecosystem and players involved in the Metaverse.
- The case of Metavers as a standard governance model for emerging technologies: challenges and characteristics.
Results :
- Carrying out an in-depth case study on the development of Metavers and preparing derived scientific publications.
- Participation in the creation of a European multidisciplinary research network on Metavers.
- Organisation of a seminar on ‘Governance and Regulation of Emerging Technologies’ which brought together 14 international experts in Chantilly (Institut de France) on 15 and 16 December 2023.
- Launch of the production of a collective work resulting from the Chantilly conference, to be published by Cambridge University Press (2025).
- Preparation of a policy conference, co-organised with the OECD in 2024, on policies to support the development of emerging technologies.
